Ian will further strengthen the team, which provides lead financial advisory services for public companies on transactions ranging from acquisitions, disposals, takeovers and mergers to debt and equity fund raising, as well as flotation.

Ian, who will be based in the Birmingham office, brings with him more than 20 years’ corporate finance experience. Most recently he spent three years as a director in the Brewin Dolphin corporate finance team.

Before that he worked in investment banking and stock broking with Lloyds Merchant Bank, Allied Provincial and Williams de Broë.

The Grant Thornton capital markets team has built up a successful business acting as a nominated adviser (“NOMAD”) to public companies on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

It currently acts as NOMAD to 68 companies, many of which the team advised through their flotation.

In his new position at Grant Thornton, Ian is already advising on two transactions involving overseas corporates acquiring shares in UK public companies.

He is expecting this early activity to continue as undervalued public companies are being targeted by overseas purchasers.

Ian said: “Whilst many corporate advisers are witnessing a slowdown in deal flow, Grant Thornton sees there are a number of opportunities on which to focus its attention. I’m proud to be part of the overall corporate finance team.”

Charles Cattaneo, corporate finance partner, said: “Ian has an excellent track record, having worked previously for both Brewin Dolphin and Williams de Broë, and I have no doubt he has a big contribution to make to our team.”

Married with two daughters, Ian is both a keen spectator of and participator in motorsport.